Katie Carella | THE SECRET FORMULA: How to Write Books for Beginning & Newly Independent Readers

Katie Carella is the Editorial Director of Scholastic’s Acorn early reader and Branches early chapter book lines. Her career began on the adult side of publishing in marketing and publicity. She then earned her master’s degree at the University of Pennsylvania and taught elementary school—all before entering children's editorial. She has edited more than fifty book series, including Dragon Masters, Owl Diaries, Mister Shivers, The Inside Scouts, and Best Buddies. Katie is focused on creating quality books for beginning and newly-independent readers!

Jackie Kruzie is a literary agent with Focused Artists representing board books through young adult. As a formal children's librarian, she looks for picture books and board books that are fun read-a- louds perfect for storytime. She likes fast-paced kid-focused books with no heavy moral. She is not the right fit for new baby or new pet books but would love a story featuring a modern grandparent that challenges stigmas. For chapter books, middle grade, and young adult, she looks for stories that put young readers in the driver’s seat and speak to those who feel invisible. She welcomes tough topics and loves books that expand a reader’s worldview. She is not the right fit for dystopian novels where a teenage chosen one is tasked with saving the world. Jackie’s full wish list can be found on MSWL and her website. Jackie is closed to general submissions but has created a special Query Tracker link for webinar attendees. For board books and picture books please upload the full manuscript. For chapter books, middle grade, and YA please upload the first 10 pages.

Frankie DeGiorgio (she/her) is a recent graduate of Barnard College of Columbia University and current Editorial & Administrative Assistant at Scholastic. She works primarily on Licensed Publishing as well as the Branches & Acorn Early Readers and Chapter Books and Klutz imprints, supporting Senior Vice President & Global Publisher Debra Dorfman. She is originally from Long Beach, California and currently based in New York City. She is passionate about accessible, diverse books for new and beginning readers with unique and creative characters and stories. Outside of work she can be found writing plays, watching YouTube video essays, and taking long walks.